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Aviation History
2002
2002 - 3288.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT NO FRILLS Air Canada arm eyes major US expansion Air Canada's low-fares domestic operation Tango is considering major expansion into the USA, as it prepares to start trans- border flights. Services to the USA will start next month with flights to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, Florida from Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City, as well as flights between Toronto and Las Vegas. "We're going to test the trans- border market with these very strong leisure routes," says Tango managing director Ben Smith. "Based on how those flights do, we'll potentially expand trans-border operations with more frequencies on leisure routes, shorter-haul routes and possibly to popular non-leisure destinations." The division has proved highly successful during its first year operating domestic Canadian services - mostly long-haul flights emanating from Toronto and running parallel to mainline flights. With operating costs 25% lower than mainline flights, Tango is heralded as a key factor in Air Canada's return to profitability. "It's definitely exceeded our expectations," says Smith. "There was a lot of pent-up demand in Canada for this type of service." Operating as a sub-brand of the Canadian carrier's mainline operations, Tango accounts for 19% of Air Canada's domestic capacity. Smith says Tango's domestic frequencies are likely to be increased next year. The structure allows aircraft to be transferred between main line and the no-frills product as the market dictates, with 10 Airbus A320s and six Boeing 737s dedicated to Tango during peak period. Tango aircraft can be reconfigured into its one-class setting layout with an "overnight visit" to maintenance facilities, says Smith. CARGO ANDREW DOYLE / BEIJING Bedek in freighter first IAI subsidiary set to beat Boeing to offer 747-400 cargo conversion programme Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) Bedek Aviation Group will seek board approval in December to launch the world's first Boeing 747-400 passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conver sion programme. The move should enable Bedek to beat Boeing to the market by at least several months. It has already stolen a march on the US manufac turer by launching non-original equipment manufacturer (OEM) approved PTF modifications for the 737-300/400 and 767-200. A large number of 747-400s delivered in the late 1980s and early 1990s are approaching the "zone of convertibility" due to their steadily declining market values. "There are 200 aircraft over 10 years old that are candidates for conversion from 2005," said Bedek deputy general manager aircraft conversion programmes Nissim Abitan at lAI's 2nd International Aircraft Conversion to Freighter Conference in Beijing, China. Subject to IAI board approval for the project in early December, Bedek expects to start detailed design work early next year and begin the first conversion in November 2004, with deliveries starting in June 2005. Bedek-converted 747-400s will have a maximum structural payload of 115,000kg (255,0001b), about 3,630kg more than Bedek-converted 747-200S. But range with full pay- load is extended to "over 4,000nm [7,400km], about l.OOOnm more than the -200," says Nissim. The targeted operational empty weight of 162,000kg for the -400 will be a "very tough target to meet", he adds. The payload-range performance of the aircraft will not match that of factory-built 747-400Fs which have a stronger wing than passenger versions. Included in the modification work will be the installation of an aft main deck cargo door and strengthened main deck floor beams. Upper deck floor beams will be cut back so additional 3m (10ft)- high cargo containers can be accommodated on the main deck. Meetings with the US Federal Aviation Administration to discuss certification issues have been set for mid-January. "We plan to amend our supplemental type cer tificate for the 747-200 to include the -400," says Nissim. Meanwhile, Boeing's long- awaited 747-400 Special Freighter programme is to be launched early next year, with deliveries starting in late 2005. The manufacturer says it is in talks with potential investors and conversion partners for the programme, and forecasts demand for six to 10 conversions annually. DELIVERY Air France puts -400ERF to work on long-haul services Air France has put the first of five Boeing 747-400ER Freighters into service on long-haul routes from its Paris Charles de Gaulle cargo hub. The first aircraft is one of three -400ERFs to be leased from International Lease Finance. Two additional aircraft are coming directly from Boeing. The airline says the increased range will enable it to start non-stop flights to points in Asia and North and South America. MODIFICATIONS MICHAEL PHELAN / LONDON Fokker 50 cargo conversion studied Dublin-based remarketing com pany Jetlreland is evaluating a cargo conversion for the Fokker 50, and has embarked on a 90-day study into its commercial feasibility. Jetlreland director of project developments Hugh Curley says the Fokker 50 freighter will be able to cany a payload of 8,500kg (18,7201b). The modification in volves the installation of a large cargo door behind the cockpit. A supplemental type certificate (STC) exists for a cargo door installation on the Fokker F27. Curley says the same STC, owned by Fokker Ser vices, would apply to the Fokker 50. Curley is pitching the aircraft at African bush operators and has also had talks with FedEx Express, which has been evaluating replace ments for its 35 F27s. However FedEx is believed to have selected the ATR 42 (Flight International, 29 October-4 November). Jetlreland has discussed the struc tural modifications with Calgary, Canada-based Field Aviation, which helped Saab develop the 340A freighter conversion. Curley is aim ing for a modification price of about $850,000, and sees a market for up to 70 conversions. 12 12-18 NOVEMBER 2002 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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